Political Quotes

“I think we have just seen an extraordinary chapter of how two leaders can come together and structure a procedure by which this Senate can go forward and achieve its objectives. I am totally supportive of the procedure enunciated by our two distinguished leaders because I strongly support the need for getting this appropriations legislation through and on to the President's desk so that we can fund adequately our Armed Forces, particularly those engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan. The leadership further decided that those Senators who wish to address the conferees could do so by adding amendments to this bill. My understanding is that there are two amendments that have been filed on the other side of the aisle: one by Mr. Feingold and another by Mr. Levin. And in consultation with the distinguished Republican leader, I now file an amendment on this side of the aisle, although I am hopeful my amendment would not be viewed purely as a Republican amendment but that it could be a vehicle by which we can reach some level, hopefully a significant level, of bipartisan consensus on the several principles I have enunciated in this amendment.”